Overview: A prototype of a ukulele which can teach the user to play it has been developed. There are several issues which need to be addressed, such as improving usability and sound. The second model of this ukulele is in the planning stage.
Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study is to provide a new interpretation of music education. Ideally, the next model will provide a fluid and intuitive learning experience for users. This study will address the issues of the first ukulele model. The second model will address the following:
Creating a ukulele strong enough to use metal strings
Improving intonation
Implementing finger tracking
Writing code for the ukulele to react as it is played in either visually appealing or informative ways
Incorporating 3D printed parts for accuracy
Incorporating a text file read in for song storage
Designing an improved menu
Introducing SD card storage
Significance of the Study: There are several intended outcomes of this project. The first is the notion that motivated me to begin the first model: A ukulele with smart LEDs integrated into the fretboard would be really cool. The second outcome was stumbled upon during the coding portion of the first model: The ukulele could provide a new, intuitive, and affordable means for individuals to learn an instrument. Once the project is polished, it could be used both by individuals and in school systems.
Literature Review: Most of the design components for this project are well documented. Instrument quality improvements, such as attaching frets, will be implemented from professional procedures (Silberberg). Logic gates will be used to reduce the required microprocessor inputs. The process for using these is described in Design of Logic Circuits Using Reversible Gates (Manoj et al., 2014). The project will also address the structural necessities and intonation improvements. The necessary information for this is provided in The Science of String Instruments (Rossin, 2010). Additionally, text file read in and SD card implementation will be simple to implement in this project. These aspects are clearly laid out in Beginning Arduino (McRoberts). This project utilizes components from adafruit. Guides and datasheets for all components are provided (Freid, 2014).
Methodology
Design Approach: This project is primarily an attempt to bring the ukulele closer to being a marketable product. This being the case, the design approach is heavily based around making improvements to the original model. This will be accomplished through troubleshooting and redesigning completed by myself. I will also be utilizing my colleagues and family to test the device and provide feedback. This adds no additional cost to the project. Funding for the project will be put towards material costs.
Type of Design Used: A study with issues and solutions for the first model of the U-lele (name subject to change).
Role of the Researcher: Interviewer and designer.
Data Collection and Analysis: A combination of observations and interviews will be used. Individuals will be observed using the device (after being given varying degrees of instruction). They will then be interviewed to obtain feedback.
Ethics: Few ethical issues are raised by this project. Any substantial discoveries on the musical learning process should be made available to the public–however, the scope of the project suggests that no well founded discoveries will be made.
Reliability and Validity of Methods and Results: This research is intended to find any improvements which can be made between the model 1 and the model 2. All feedback is relevant and will likely be implemented if reasonable. Conflicting feedback will be evaluated. The small pool of data is of little concern for this stage of the model, but a more diverse pool would be useful for further development of the product.
Timetable: This design stage of the project is currently underway. The only current roadblock is funding for build materials. Once obtained, the build stage may commence. The model 2 will be completed by summer 2017 but may be available as soon as December 2016.
Resources and Materials:
Soldering supplies
Workspace
All necessary woodworking supplies
Misc Ukulele parts (see budget for more details)
Budget: Click here for full budget.
Limitations: There is a small sample pool for research. The model also is more expensive than a production model.
Delimitations: This model will be a second prototype, not a marketable product. The build and code both need to be improved before they can be solidified into final product. That being said, this model will have a soldered circuit opposed to a printed one.
Final: The findings that this project would provide would allow create a product that is nearly marketable. The sound, interface, and usability of the ukulele will all be polished.
Bibliography
Silberberg, David. “Pohaku Ukulele.” Kanopy. Les Blank Films, n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2016 <http://colorado.kanopystreaming.com/video/pohaku-ukulele>.
This video shows the entire build process of a ukulele. As this is done by a professional, many specialized machines are used. These are out of the scope (and price range) of this project. The principals of each step of the design, however, are still easy to follow and should be reasonable to replicate without specialized machines.
McRoberts, Michael. Beginning Arduino. New York: Apress, 2010. SpringerLink. Web. 29 Mar. <http://0-link.springer.com.libraries.colorado.edu/book/10.1007/978-1-4302-3241-4>.
Michael Roberts, also known as “the arduino guy,” is a popular writer of arduino guides and tutorials. His book, Beginning Arduino, covers various Arduino topics. Chapter 15 covers reading and writing to an SD card. This will be used twofold in developing the next model. The more simple application will be implementing SD card storage. This will allow songs to be easily added to the ukulele. The other application is utilizing text files for storing the songs. This resource will be consulted for efficient methods of converting lines of text into a custom class for the ukulele.
“Introducing Pro Trinket.” Adafruit. Adafruit, 24 Aug. 2014. Web. 02 Apr. 2016. <https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-pro-trinket>.
Limor “Ladyada” Fried is an MIT engineer and founder of Adafruit. In this article, she gives all the necessary information about the microcontroller used in this ukulele project. It contains all necessary programs, libraries, and specifications for implementation in the model 2.
“Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide.” Adafruit. Adfruit, 30 Aug. 2013. Web. 02 Apr. 2016. <https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/overview>.
Phillip Burgess, senior designer at Adafruit since 2011, is a popular writer for the Adafruit website.This is the primary resource on neopixels (a key component in both model 1 and 2). It covers the requirements, guidelines, and resources necessary to operate the neopixels.
Manoj, K.v, and M. Amarnath Reddy. “Design of Logic Circuits Using Reversible Gates.” IJETT International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology 16.8 (2014): 394-96. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
This journal entry is available here. In order to reduce the necessary inputs to the device (as well as simplifying the code), a network of logic gates will be needed. This resource goes over their theory and implementation. It will be used in the design of the finger placement tracking system.
“The Science of String Instruments.” The Science of String Instruments | Thomas Rossing | Springer. Ed. Thomas Rossing. Springer New York, 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2016 <http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781441971098>.
Thomas Rossing is an accomplished researcher in several fields of physics and is employed by Stanford University. One of the major difficulties of this project is implementing metal strings. Ukuleles generally avoid this because metal strings require such high tension compared to nylon strings. They can tear the off the bridge of the ukulele or the soundboard entirely. This resource provides the information I will need to correctly analyze and minimize the tension in the model 2 strings. It also provides information to aid in the improvement of the ukulele’s intonation.